Time’s up for racing, and at New Zealand Fashion Week a creative collaboration champions the soulful dogs soon seeking homes.
Gentle by nature and quietly elegant, greyhounds are stepping into the spotlight for a reason that goes beyond fashion. At New Zealand Fashion Week in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, six retired racers walked the runway in bespoke creations by Karen Walker, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Twenty Seven Names, Penny Sage, Kowtow, Sylvester and Nom*D — an initiative designed to reimagine their future.
With greyhound racing set to end in 2026, thousands of dogs will be looking for homes in the coming year. Greyhounds as Pets, the charity leading the rehoming effort, turned to Fashion Week as a way to connect with a wider audience and present the breed in a different light.
Stylist and creative director Dan Ahwa describes the project as a blend of art, design and compassion, a chance to shift perceptions and spark conversations about adoption. For Nom*D founder Margi Robertson, the motivation was personal. Her family adopted retired racer Ziggy, and she says, “Greyhounds are such gentle, soulful creatures. Having one at home has shown me how much character they bring into everyday life. This initiative is about giving them the chance to be seen as companions beyond the track.”
At Stolen Girlfriends Club, creative director Marc Moore found resonance with the values of individuality and resilience that drive his label. “Each greyhound carries its own story of strength and fortitude,” he says. “Now begins the next chapter, finding homes where their unique spirit can thrive.”
Greyhounds as Pets usually places a few hundred dogs each year, but the number is about to multiply. Director Dawn Glover says their appeal lies in their calm temperament and loyalty: easy companions who settle quickly into family life.
The fashion moment may have been fleeting, but the intention behind it runs deeper. The hope is to see these animals embraced in homes across Aotearoa, trading racing silks for everyday comforts and becoming part of the rhythms of family life.
Find out more at greyhoundsaspets.org.nz.
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